Dental anxiety – how can I overcome my fears?

Dental anxiety is not an unusual term. The mere thought of visiting the dentist, often gets your pulse racing and blood pressure soaring. Even a rational human being, avoids the fact that a regular visit to the dentist is a necessity for the oral health.

Prevention is better than cure. It is best to face your fears head on and take preventive measure, rather than procrastinating till there is a serious issue at hand. Preventive treatment will be less painful than one that is due to an infection. What one should understand is that a visit at regular intervals not only keeps you in good oral health, but also keeps your teeth sparking white and clean. We are not always perfect when it comes to brushing and flossing. Over a period of time plaque or tarter can set in, bringing with it dirty brown marks that can be difficult to remove with simply brushing. Your dentist can take care of these at your wellness visits and have them scraped, making sure your dentures are in good health.

Typically dental anxiety happens due to past experience. It may help to meet with your dentist and take a walk through the facility to know what you are in for. You may also ask friends and family to recommend a dentist. Instead of appointing one blindly, recommendation and reviews help for sure. You may inform of your dental anxiety while meeting your dentist. A good dentist will calm you down and help deal with your fear positively.

There are other ways to handle dental anxiety. Sedatives administered orally or intravenously helps a person relax during a dental procedure. However, not all procedures require a sedative, so this may not be the option at wellness visits.

There is nothing that cannot be overcome. The same is with your fears. Bonding with your dentist, will help overcome your dental anxiety, and make your visits more enjoyable.